Pope Francis says “being homosexual isn’t a crime,” albeit “a sin”, putting to rest long-standing debates regarding the position of the Roman Catholic Church on same-sex relationships.

The Pope made the assertion in an interview with The Associated Press released Wednesday. He asked the church to be more accommodating of the LGBTQ community, explaining God loves his children the way they are, regardless of their sexual orientations.

“It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin,” AP quoted the pontiff as saying.  “But first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime.”

He said that the criminalisation of homosexuality was “unjust.” He, however, acknowledged that some Catholic bishops encourage prejudice towards LGBTQ people, which he considered to be a “sin.”

He pleaded with the bishops to reconsider their positions and show tolerance for gays.

“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said. “It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another.”

Buttressing his beliefs, The Pope, according to AP, “quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gays must be welcomed and should not be marginalised.”